Ministry of Education
Promotion of research and innovation in schools
Samagra Shiksha is an integrated programme which envisages all round development of children. With the focus on connecting school-based knowledge to life outside the school, making learning of Science and Mathematics a joyful and meaningful activity and to bring focus on innovation and use of technology, Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan  has been set up by Ministry of Education as a convergent framework that aims at nurturing a spirit of inquiry and creativity, love for Science and Mathematics and effective use of technology amongst children of the age group of 6 to 18 years Some of the major objectives are to enable children to become motivated and engaged in Science, Mathematics and Technology  through observation, experimentation, drawing inferences, model building, rational reasoning and testability and to create curiosity, excitement and exploration among school children in Science, Mathematics and Technology.
The details of expenditure of funds under RAA for the last three years and provision for 2021-22 are as given below.

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2018-19
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2019-20
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2020-21
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2021-22
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11172.342
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15963.22
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14253.74
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15748.72
The School Innovation Ambassador Training Program  was launched on 16th July 2021 by Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell , CBSE and AICTE in collaboration with Ministry of Tribal Affairs to strengthen the mentoring capacity of teachers for nurturing and handholding innovative and creative ideas from students. The Objectives of the SIATP are to create a culture of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in schools;  Preparing teachers to handhold the ideas and innovative thoughts from students;  Creating the in-house pool of mentors in schools to mentor the students;  Creating awareness on innovation and start-ups among the students and faculties;  Prepare teachers to conduct idea competitions, hackathons and enable them to act as an evaluator for Idea Competitions conducted for students; and  Create the foundation and capable human resource for School Innovation Council , a council of teachers, students and experts from industry and academia to conduct round the year activities for students and teachers on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The Department of Science & Technology started a unique programme ‘Vigyan Jyoti’ for meritorious girls with the aim to address the under representation of women in different fields of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics  in the country. As a first step, the “VigyanJyoti” has been introduced in the year 2019-20 at the school level wherein meritorious girl students of Class 9-12 are being encouraged to pursue higher education and career in STEM field. The VigyanJyoti envisaged hand-holding and interventions right from the school level i.e., Class IX and which will continue till the PhD level to encourage girls to pursue a career in under represented areas of STEM. Various activities such as science camps, special lectures/ classes, counselling of students and parents, interaction with role models, tinkering activities, visit to Knowledge Partners/ Research Labs/ Industries/ NGOs are being conducted in the programme in order to motivate girls.
Under the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ initiated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Toycathon-2021 is conceived to challenge India’s innovative minds to conceptualize novel Toy and Games based on Bharatiya civilization, history, culture, mythology and ethos.
Toycathon 2021 is an inter-ministerial initiative organized by Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell with support from All India Council for Technical Education, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Toycathon 2021 is a unique opportunity for Students, Teachers, Start-ups and Toy experts/professionals in India to submit their innovative toys/games concepts and win large number of prizes worth Rs. 50 lakhs.
Through conceptualizing new and innovative toys by students using local materials which are economical, affordable, safe, environment friendly, and of exceptionally high quality for both Indian and global markets, it has kindled the innovative and creative spirit of students. Winning Teams efforts will be made to commercialize the exceptional toy concepts will support from Industry and investors.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.